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It is still one of Europe's most Catholic countries but Poland is seeing a rapid secularisation -- particularly among younger generations.

French President Emmanuel Macron paid his respects at a European cemetery in Algeria on Friday, the second day of a visit aimed at turning a "new page" in often difficult ties.

Ronnie O'Sullivan will headline Hong Kong's top snooker tournament when it returns after a five-year hiatus, organisers said Friday, but the world champion will compete inside a Covid-secure "bubble".

Sebastian Vettel accused Formula One boss Stefano Domenicali of being thoughtless and using insensitive language when he suggested there was little prospect for female drivers in the sport.

For almost a decade, farmer Qin Bin, 50, has toiled his plot, growing peaches and dragon fruits for sale to visiting tourists at his orchard on the outskirts of the Chinese megacity of Chongqing.

Britain announced Friday a vast 80-percent hike in electricity and gas bills, in a dramatic worsening of the cost-of-living crisis before winter as the country awaits a new leader.

Asian and European markets rose Friday after a Wall Street rally ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that is expected to reiterate his plan to ramp up interest rates to fight inflation.

German car manufacturer Audi will become an engine supplier in Formula One for the first time in the 2026 season, chairman Markus Duesmann announced on Friday.

Singapore's reigning badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew said he had "no regrets" after his title defence ended in a quarter-final loss to Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in Tokyo on Friday.

China's huge military drills around Taiwan have only made allies more determined to visit the island democracy and show solidarity, Taipei's foreign minister Joseph Wu said Friday.

The unloved Orangetheory Stadium creaks back into use on Saturday, with All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock delivering a heartfelt reminder of why Test rugby should be played in Christchurch.

Captain James Slipper said on Friday that it was crucial for the Wallabies to put South Africa under pressure from the off if they want to maintain their nine-year unbeaten streak against the world champions on home soil.

Brazilian forward Henrique Dourado was banned for 12 months and fined $30,000 on Friday after barging into the referee during a Chinese Super League football match.

Britain announced Friday a vast 80-percent hike in electricity and gas bills, in a dramatic worsening of the cost-of-living crisis before winter as the UK awaits a new leader.

As the Rose of Tralee beauty pageant concluded this week, the contestants in colourful ball gowns and silk sashes swayed as they sang the 19th-century ballad that inspired the competition.

It's an opening night like no other at Mykolaiv's theatre, with the audience ushered down into an underground shelter this week for the first performance since war broke out.

Home favourite Naomi Osaka will defend her title at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next month, organisers said on Friday, as the tournament returns for the first time since the pandemic.

"It's such a shame for this boy, such a shame," said Viktor, a resident of the Ukrainian city of Chaplyne, whose young neighbour was killed by a Russian strike.

Switzerland is among the world's wealthiest countries, but its reliance on Russian gas and French nuclear power -- both in short supply -- has it bracing for power shortages and even blackouts this winter.

Captain James Slipper said Friday it was crucial for the Wallabies to put South Africa under "early heat" if they want to maintain their nine-year unbeaten streak against the world champions on home soil.

Argentina are already riding high atop The Rugby Championship standings and are now setting their sights on a historic first win over the All Blacks on New Zealand soil on Saturday.

Pope Francis has asked Pyongyang to invite him to North Korea, saying in a televised interview on Friday that he would not turn down a chance to visit and work for peace.

Australia on Friday tapped a former high court judge to investigate ex-prime minister Scott Morrison's decision to secretly appoint himself to several key ministerial portfolios.

A two-week negotiating session on a treaty to protect the high seas wraps up Friday, with UN observers holding their breath that the long-stalled deal can cross the finish line.

China's volleyball association apologised on Friday for failing to tell its women's team to remove their face masks for an Asian Cup match in the Philippines.

Long Covid has already cost the Australian economy three million working days this year, according to a government analysis seen by AFP Friday, significantly worsening the country's acute labour shortages.

Christie's announced plans on Thursday to auction the art collection of late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, which it estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.

Living in one of the poorest parts of the Middle East and facing some of the region's highest fuel costs, Palestinians in Gaza are burning plastic to make affordable diesel.

Asian markets rose Friday after a Wall Street rally ahead of a speech by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell that is expected to reiterate his plan to ramp up interest rates to fight inflation.

Living in one of the poorest parts of the Middle East and facing some of the region's highest fuel costs, Palestinians in Gaza are burning plastic to make affordable diesel.

Troubled Liverpool will be desperate to get their first win of the Premier League season when they face Bournemouth on Saturday.

North Korea said Friday that the fever cases it detected earlier this week were found to be influenza, and not a Covid-19 resurgence as initially suspected.